2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Top RBs Will Go in First Round?

Running backs have become interchangeable in the NFL and now most teams employ more than one ball-carrier and use certain guys only in specialized roles.

That means franchises are hesitant to spend first-round picks on running backs, since their individual impact on games has decreased.

Over the past three years, only six running backs have been selected in the first round of the draft and only C.J. Spiller was selected in the top 10 (No. 9 by Buffalo in 2010). 

This year, I currently have two running backs projected to be taken in the first round, but one of them could go as high as No. 5.

Alabama's Trent Richardson has it all. He has really started getting things going after a slow start and, through seven games, he has racked up 912 yards and a staggering 15 touchdowns on 132 carries. He is averaging 6.9 yards per carry and has also hauled in 15 passes for 179 yards and another score.

The junior has also rushed for 100-plus yards in six straight games after being used sparingly in Alabama's opener and gaining just 37 yards against Kent State.  

Richardson is excellent at reading blocks, is a tough, between-the-tackles runner and is almost impossible to take down on the first hit. His 5'11", 224-pound frame allows him to bounce off tackles with ease, and he still possesses excellent speed.

He would fit in very well with John Fox's run-first scheme in Denver and, if he is available at No. 5, expect the Broncos to jump all over Richardson.

Washington's Chris Polk has quietly become one of the most consistent players in college football. The 5'11", 222-pound running back has had a great start to the 2011 season, rushing for 728 yards and three touchdowns on 134 carries. He's averaging 5.4 yards per rush and has also caught 11 passes out of the backfield for 142 yards and two more scores.

Polk possesses all the prototypical measurables of a workhorse back, and has above-average top-end speed. He has been very productive, as he's on his way to a third straight 1,000-yard season and has shown the ability to be a great receiver out of the backfield.

While most mocks don't have Polk with a first-round grade just yet, if he continues to produce, NFL teams will fall in love with his workmanlike style. He keeps his legs churning and runs with an impressive level of determination.

He's also a team leader with an excellent work ethic and reminds me a lot of Saints rookie running back Mark Ingram.

Right now, I see Polk sneaking into the back half of the first round, with the New York Giants snagging him to be their new feature back. The Giants reportedly loved Ingram but thought they had more pressing needs to address during this past draft, so they passed on the Alabama ball-carrier to select cornerback Prince Amukamara.

This year, they'll get the back they want and take Polk if he's available.

2012 Mock Draft

1. MIA—QB Andrew Luck	17. WAS—CB Dre Kirkpatrick
2. IND—OT Matt Kalil	18. TEN—WR Michael Floyd
3. STL—WR Alshon Jeffrey	19. CHI—G David DeCastro
4. KC—QB Landry Jones	20. TB—CB Janoris Jenkins
5. DEN—RB Trent Richardson	21. HOU—LB Brandon Jenkins
6. ARI—OT Jonathan Martin	22. NYG—RB Chris Polk
7. MIN—WR Justin Blackmon	23. OAK—CB Cliff Harris
8. JAC—DE Quinton Coples	24. BUF—QB Robert Griffin III
9. SEA—QB Matt Barkley	25. PIT—G Cordy Glenn
10. CAR—CB Morris Claiborne	26. SD—LB Ronell Lewis
11. CLE—OT Riley Reiff	27. NE—LB Donte Paige Moss
12. PHI—LB Vontaze Burfict	28. DET—CB Alfonzo Dennard
13. NYJ—DT Jared Crick	29. SF—WR Nick Toon
14. CLE—LB Manti Te'o	30. BAL—LB Luke Kuechly
15. CIN—DE Melvin Ingram	31. NE—LB Courtney Upshaw
16. DAL—CB Stephon Gilmore	32. GB—CB Jayron Hosley